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Monday, February 08, 2016

Guest Blog from Chuck Roots, Hype and Hyperbole

The primaries have begun and the
candidates are ramping up the rhetoric and the personal attacks just like
always. Nothing new here.

If I were to believe all the
slanderous comments candidates declare about each other, I would have to
conclude that there’s not one of them that isn’t the spawn of hell, totally
inept, incompetent to the extreme, and in all other ways a despicable human
being. And these are the Republican candidates attacking each other! They’re
supposed to be on the same team! The Democrats are doing the same thing. It’s
just that there aren’t nearly as many candidates on their side this go-around
to vilify one another. But the intensity of attacks is certainly present.

I’ve been following presidential
races since Kennedy/Nixon in 1960. The ugly side of politics raised its hideous
head in that election race just as it has done in 2016. If you want a good
laugh, go back and see what candidates said about each other in the times of
Washington and Lincoln, iconic leaders of our nation, who were painted in the
most unflattering terms during their day.

What needs to be remembered is that
we are a fallen people, attacking each other for real or perceived flaws in
character and belief. Now, I may not agree with any or all of those seeking
higher office in this republic. I’d be shocked if I did. But I do look for
those whose beliefs are closest to mine. In the 44 years since I surrendered my
life to Jesus Christ as my Savior I have attempted to craft a strong biblical
world view. The more I understand Holy Scripture, the more I understand the
true nature of man. In so doing, I’m able to make a clearer choice.

In the months ahead we will be
treated to more of this “hair on fire”, “doomsday” hysteria from candidates,
the media, and talk shows.

A classic that has already made the
headlines this week is none other than Madeleine Albright, former Secretary of
State, scolding women who are not supporting Hillary Clinton’s candidacy by saying there’s a “special place in
hell” for women who don’t support other women. Well, Ms. Albright, may I
remind you that this is a free country, and as Americans we can vote for
whoever we want. And stipulating gender as the reason to vote for a candidate
is beneath the esteemed status you have garnered during your storied political
career.

I’ve read that Ms. Albright has
since apologized for her shameless rant in attempting to bully women into
voting for a woman because the candidate is a woman. Then Hillary turns right
around and defends Ms. Albright’s remarks. The Albright rant, “There’s a special
place in hell for women who don’t help each other,” was nothing new. Ms.
Albright has used it at least since 2008, when she supported Ms. Clinton’s
first run for president against Barack Obama. And feminist Gloria Steinem
joined in, criticizing women who support Democrat candidate Bernie Sanders.

Time and space do not allow for a
rundown of the various and sordid attacks Republicans are making about each
other with the implications that anyone who votes for another candidate besides
them is not very bright, not a true patriot, not being serious in their
choices, and the list of veiled innuendoes is without end.

Though this quadrennial event of
electing a president causes many American voters to yawn in apathy, or roll
their eyes in disbelief, it is important to remember that “We the People” have
the unique and awesome privilege of choosing our representatives in government
by going to the polling place nearest our home and voting (or mailing Absentee,
as is the choice of a growing number today). We may not like the outcome, but
it is still the greatest system in the world, and is the envy of nations.

We are a scant nine months away
from Election Day. Until then, we will be required to endure a seemingly
endless array of primaries, each claiming to be the most important one in
selecting the next President of the United States. Hang in there!

Cutting through all the hype and
hyperbole of an election year, let me recommend that in making your choice you
prayerfully consider the character of the candidate, and their past performance
in whatever it is they have done with their lives.

And yes, I would say that God is
very interested in how we choose our leaders. He blessed us with this nation.
He wants to see what we will do with it.

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